WHY, why, why? We’re still scratching our heads this morning as to how a reigning Grand Slam-winning side could begin the defence of their title in such abject fashion.

Lots of questions are inevitably being asked about the reasons for what went wrong. against Ireland... and the foremost one appears to centre around whether Rob Howley got his team selection right.

The talk before the game was whether Justin Tipuric should play at openside, James Hook at 10, Paul James at loose-head and whether the selection of Andrew Coombs was too much of a gamble.

The debate rages in earnest and our man Simon Thomas, in his match report today, says categorically that Howley got it wrong.

Most notably, with the decision not to include the in-form Justin Tipuric alongside Sam Warburton in the back-row at the expense of Aaron Shingler.

He also argues selecting Gethin Jenkins at loose-head prop ahead of superior scrummager James was flawed and that greater use should have been made of Hook.

Jenkins was picked on reputation and experience rather than form and fitness after only starting four games with Toulon this season.

The one selection you could argue Howley got right was throwing in Dragons second-row Coombs, who excelled on his Test debut.

Video: Rob Howley's reaction

WHY WERE WALES SO INEPT IN THE FIRST HALF?

INEPT was the word used by Wales and Lions legend Barry John to describe those dreadful first 40 minutes.

Given Wales had spent two weeks preparing for the defence of their title, how could they produce such a limp opening half in front of an expectant nation? Turnovers, dropped passes and defensive errors enabled Ireland to dictate events. Wales fought back in the second-half, but those efforts, when the game had already gone, should not be permitted to gloss over the fact that by then the game was already out of their grasp.

DID WE USE OUR REPLACEMENTS WISELY?

NO. Justin Tipuric came on after 43 minutes, but only because Aaron Shingler was forced off with a rib injury.

He inspired Wales, while hooker Ken Owens and props Paul James and Craig Mitchell had an impact too.

But should Howley have have brought on half-backs Lloyd Williams and James Hook much earlier than he did?

With Wales lagging so far behind, they desperately needed invention at 10. Hook was only handed seven minutes to impose himself.

IS THERE A CONFIDENCE PROBLEM IN THE TEAM?

WATCHING the ball shipped across the Welsh backline in the first-half with nobody taking responsibility, and twice seeing Jonathan Davies sling the ball into touch, was simply painful.

While the Irish looked slick and purposeful behind the scrum, Wales were pedestrian and uncertain.

They did nothing with any conviction until the match was gone and they had to rip up the game plan anyway.

These players have shown they can cut defences apart when games are on a knife-edge. Why has that great strength deserted them?

WOULD WARREN GATLAND HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE?

THE Welsh camp have talked up the supposedly seamless transition of power from Warren Gatland to Howley, so in theory talk of the Kiwi’s absence should be something of a red herring.

But he is, in the eyes of some, the world’s best coach and so you wonder if his mere presence in the dressing room would have had a galvanising effect upon the Welsh team.

Was it a coincidence that when Gatland returned briefly in the autumn against Australia and New Zealand, there was a markedly-improved performance. The stock of the double Grand Slam-winning coach rises with every defeat in his absence.

WHAT CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE FOR FRANCE?

THE great thing about sport in general, and Welsh rugby in particular, is that there is always the next game.

For Wales, that is France in Paris on Saturday... and the rugby-mad Welsh public are demanding changes.

We agree with them. Surely Tipuric must start, with skipper Warburton switched to blind-side.

Hook has to be given his head at 10 or, at worst, 12, where Wales need to utilise the skills of their most creative player and not continually ignore them.

There appears no justification for leaving out James, while cases can also be made for Richard Hibbard, Ryan Jones and Lloyd Williams.